Madras finance director Kate Knop has resigned
Published 1:11 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Kate Knop’s departure leaves several key leadership positions vacant
Kate Knop, the city of Madras’ finance director, resigned this week, the second high-level administrator to leave City Hall since January.
Knop, who oversaw the city’s finances for two years, resigned effective immediately on Monday, March 9.
The surprise announcement was made at the Madras Redevelopment Commission meeting on March 10, when the finance department was expected to give a presentation on a loan the city had given to a local business, Initiative Brewing.
With no director to present the information to commissioners, staff from the finance department made the presentation, which also included past due payments for a few other loans.
“Let’s stop and clarify for those that are in the room that may not know,” City Recorder Keli Pollock told the Commission on Tuesday. “The finance director unexpectedly resigned yesterday morning, effective immediately. So, in the lapse of that, we are now identifying another transition with the city.”
Knop’s departure comes amid a series of resignations and firings at City Hall that have left several key positions unfilled.
In addition to Knop, City Administrator Will Ibershof resigned unexpectedly in January. His interim successor, Madras Public Works Director Jeff Hurd, served just six weeks before stepping down and returning to his role in the Public Works department. Hurd will continue being a signing authority for checks and payroll.
The city is also currently without a police chief, following the firing of Tim Plummer by Ibershof in 2024. Sergeant Angela Elder is serving as acting police chief while a replacement is found.
With no acting finance director or city administrator, staff in the finance department have been asked to report directly to the City Council.
Madras City Councilor Mike Seibold has been designated as the council liaison for the finance department, and the city has hired two contractors to work with auditing and budgeting for the city.
Hurd retained the ability to be a signing authority for the city’s checks and payroll last week.
In a statement released Wednesday, the city said the string of recent departures will not impact city services to residents.
“The City of Madras is currently navigating several leadership transitions while continuing to maintain daily operations and services for the community. The City Council and City staff are actively working through these transitions in a transparent manner, with discussions and actions occurring during publicly noticed City Council meetings.”
“City services remain fully operational during this period,” the city continued. “The City Council expressed appreciation for the work of City staff who continue to support the delivery of services to the Madras community while recruitment efforts move forward for several key leadership positions.”
Knop previously worked as the finance director for Jefferson County from 2022 to 2024.